Choosing your perfect tour type.We offer just about every type of adventure imaginable. Explore with other likeminded travellers on our organised group tours, alternatively try a private departure or talk to our tailormade team if you want more flexibility.

Explore the world with your family.Our Explore family adventure holidays are designed for families looking for a fun and memorable holiday, allowing you to explore exotic and unique destinations, with all of the logistics taken care of.

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Welcome to Explore - The Adventure Travel Experts.Explore has been running small group responsible adventures for nearly 35 years so you can be confident that you are in safe hands. Browse to find out more about Explore, our staff, tour leaders and values.

The information below is intended to assist you as you consider your travel options with Explore. In addition to the detailed itinerary each tour has been supported with some useful information to provide you with an overview of your accommodation & meals, all things money, passports, visas, vaccinations, insurance, clothing, personal equipment and much more to help you with your travel preparations.

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the East African Explorer tour available at present.

Booking a Single Room

All of our group tours are planned and operated on a twin-share basis, meaning that the standard cost is based either on individual travellers sharing accommodation with another group member of the same sex, or people who book together sharing accommodation.

Please refer to the tour notes where the single room option availability is detailed on a night by night basis for this tour, and the price for the available nights is detailed on the dates & prices tab by departure date.

For Self-Guided trips the Single Room supplement offers the option of a single room each and is charged per person. The Single Room supplement also applies to the third person in a party of three that will be accommodated in a single room.

You will need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the tour price, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and
items of a personal nature such as laundry.

Food

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide.Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.

Kenya

Lunch £:
10.00

Dinner £:
13.00

Tanzania

Lunch £:
8.00

Dinner £:
13.00

Drink

The prices for drinks can vary greatly depending upon location and the prices detailed below are an average guide. In general you would expect that drinks purchased in a supermarket or local bar to be less expensive, whilst drinks in an upmarket bar or restaurant may be more expensive.

Kenya

Bottle of Beer £:
1.50

Water £:
1.00

Tanzania

Bottle of Beer £:
1.60

Water £:
0.70

Tipping - Tour Leader

At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.

Optional Excursions

Serengeti Balloon Safari
During our stay in the Serengeti there is time to take a once-in-a-lifetime balloon flight over the Serengeti Plains. Flights cost US$ 499, depart each day at dawn and last approx. 1hr. Transport from/to our camp/lodge is included in the price, along with sparkling wine, a full English breakfast in the bush and a flight certificate. For every passenger flown, a royalty is paid to Tanzania National Parks which goes towards conservation funds. For more information, please go to ‘www.balloonsafaris.com’.
If you are interested in booking a space for this very popular excursion please contact Serengeti Balloons direct at balloonsreservations@habari.co.tz quoting your Tour Code and Departure Date. Payment will be taken in full at the time of booking and can be made by Visa or Mastercard (credit card) or bank transfer. Please note that this payment is fully refundable up to 7 days prior to the date of the flight. Please note that if your flight is cancelled by the balloon operator due to poor weather conditions, then your money will also be refunded in full.
It is also possible to book the balloon flight locally, athough this will be subject to availability.
Lake Naivasha - Visit to Elsamere US$ 10, Lake Naivasha boat trip US$ 15.
Maasai Mara - Village walk US$ 10
Lake Eyasi - Search for the Hadzabi Bushmen US$ 40-60 depending on numbers.
Karatu - Walk to Gibbs Farm US$ 25

Tipping - Local Crew

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Accordingly you should allow approx. £40 for gratuities for local crew.

Foreign Exchange

Kenya

ATM Availability:
Cash can be drawn on credit cards from ATMs in Nairobi.

Credit Card Acceptance:
Accepted in larger hotels only.

Travellers Cheques:
We do not recommend taking travellers cheques

Local Currency:
Kenyan Shilling.

Recommended Currency for Exchange:
You should take the majority of your spending money in US Dollars cash. Please be aware that any notes issued before 2002 will not be accepted.

Where to Exchange:
Banks or ‘Forex’ offices in main towns/cities. Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.

Tanzania

ATM Availability:
Major towns and cities will have ATMs available.

Credit Card Acceptance:
Credit cards are generally not accepted.

Travellers Cheques:
Take some to act as reserve funds.

Local Currency:
Tanzanian Shilling.

Recommended Currency for Exchange:
US Dollars are preferable. Please be aware that any notes issued before 2006 will not be accepted

Where to Exchange:
Banks or 'Forex' offices only in main towns/cities. Your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.

Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found on our website at www.explore.co.uk, in the tour specific dates and prices section.

Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will now receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The transfers will be from the Explore designated airport or train station to the joining point of your tour, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.

Free transfers are not available for Self-Guided, Tailormade or Tours for Churches customers.

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display a UK flight inclusive package guide price which is generally based on a London departure. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling in England and Scotland. We also strongly recommend your policy includes curtailment, personal effects and cancellation protection as all deposits paid are non-refundable. You will also need to ensure your travel policy covers you for all activities you intend to do whilst on tour.

We are delighted to include FREE travel insurance for all qualifying customers who book an Explore trip between 01 January 2015 and 31 August 2015.

For more information about Travel insurance and to check whether you are eligible to receive free cover, please visit www.explore.co.uk/insurance. Explore Worldwide Ltd are an Introducer Appointed Representative of Campbell Irvine Limited. who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The registration number can be checked by visiting the the FCA's website www.fca.gov.uk or by contacting them on 0800 111 6768.

Visa Information

Tanzania: A single entry visa is required by UK, New Zealand, Australian, US & Canadian citizens. Visas can be arranged on arrival, but due to queues at immigration we recommend for the visa to be arranged in advance.

Kenya: A single entry visa is required by UK, New Zealand, Australian, US & Canadian citizens. Visas can be arranged on arrival, but due to queues at immigration we recommend for the visa to be arranged in advance.

Visas can be obtained through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK. Please contact: Visaswift, at http://www.visaswift.com/explore.aspx.

All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.

Vaccinations & Protection

Kenya

Following the advice given by the Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we strongly recommend the wearing of long sleeved shirts and the liberal application of insect repellent as a precautionary measure to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. These precautions should be taken at all times as the mosquitoes are also active during daylight hours. Nothing compulsory, we recommend protection against yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. . Please note you are required to produce a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in Kenya if you have spent 10 hours or more transiting through an endemic country.

Tanzania

We strongly recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, polio and yellow fever. Please note you are required to produce a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in Tanzania if you have spent 10 hours or more transiting through an endemic country.
Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may also wish to take immunisation against meningococcal meningitis.
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure

Climate

Kenya

Although Kenya lies astride the equator, annual rainfall over most of the country is surprisingly low and varies from year to year. Temperatures over much of Kenya are subtropical or temperate, similar to those in California or southern France in summer. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable.
Additional information and climate charts can be accessed at http://www.explore.co.uk/weather. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up-to-date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.

Tanzania

The climate is tropical but varies greatly with altitude. Coastal areas are hot and humid, the central plateau dry and arid. It can be cold at night, particularly in June & July and at altitude. Generally the long rains arrive April/May and the short rains Nov/early Dec. Although this pattern can be completely erratic. Additional information and climate charts can be accessed at http://www.explore.co.uk/ weather. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up-to-date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.

Equipment

3-season (temperature –5°C to 0°C) sleeping bag plus a sleeping sheet. Although mattresses are provided, you may bring your own if you wish. Also a head torch, water bottle, sunhat, high factor sunscreen and baby wipes are recommended. Binoculars are useful as is a telephoto lens. Sleeping mats and eating utensils are provided and tents have sewn-in insect screening so mosquito nets are not
required. Whilst some campsites have battery charging facilities it may be advisable to take a supply of camera batteries for the trip. For your own comfort it may be advisable to bring a supply of toilet roll.

Footwear

Light walking boots/comfortable walking shoes, trainers and sandals.

Clothing

Clothing should be lightweight, however, a warm sweater, a fleece and a wind/water-proof jacket are also advisable for early morning game drives and a night at Ngorongoro Crater. A scarf is recommended as protection against dust and dirt on game drives. A waterproof is advisable for any time of year. Please also bring a towel.

Luggage: On Tour

One main piece of baggage (a kitbag or soft holdall) plus daypack. Total allowance: 33lb/15kg maximum (due to size & weight restrictions on our truck). Please note that it is important to keep within these restrictions. The limit does not include your camera equipment.

Luggage

Electric Supply & Plugs

Kenya

Tanzania

We’ve been creating award-winning pioneering adventure holidays for over 30 years, earning the trust of thousands of delighted customers, who feel safe in our hands. Our tour leaders have expert local knowledge and our tours are designed to take you off the beaten track to see the most exotic, inspiring and dramatic places in the world.

Responsible travel is and always has been one the driving principles of Explore.

Our adventure holidays are full of exciting things to see and do, exploring in small groups travelling by bus, boat, plane, rickshaw, camel, elephant, or any number of unusual forms of transport . Often you will stay in family run hotels and village houses and enjoy authentic local cuisine. In this way, it’s easy to discover the true heart of the people and the place you travel to – and make some new friends along the way. Each tour is uniquely different, so please feel free to browse through our tours to see what may whet your appetite.

Our commitment to the environment

We are passionate about sustainable travel and work hard to create tours where your holiday delivers real benefits to the local communities. We minimise our impact by travelling in small groups, respecting local cultures and traditional, reducing waste and offsetting 100% of the CO2 from our flights.

When you travel with Explore, you are directly contributing to local economies and helping empower the people you meet. We currently support a range of charities and good causes, including: Toilet Twinning (helping to flush away poverty), Lone Buffalo Foundation (a community project based in Laos providing creative skills for young people), Dekamer ( a turtle rescue centre in Turkey) and Kids Saving the Rainforest (a wildlife rescue centre in Costa Rica supported through the LATA foundation). We also care passionately about the world’s wildlife. We are patrons of the Born Free Organisation and Friends of Conservation.

Cool Earth

Explore are proud to support Cool Earth in their effort to reduce global carbon dioxide levels through the prevention of deforestation in the South America rainforest. Cool Earth focus on areas in immediate danger of deforestation, supporting local communities to be forest guardians. To date 350,000 acres of rainforest has been protected. Saving rainforest also protects rare animals and plants, allows local forest communities to maintain their way of life, and protects a major source of oxygen and fresh water. When you travel on an Explore holiday we make a donation to Cool Earth that exceeds the impact of our customers flights each year.

Earth Matters

The Travel FoundationExplore are active members and supporters of the Travel Foundation which has established a variety of sustainable tourism projects in destinations and works with industry to improve practice. Visit their website www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk

Tourism ConcernExplore support the work of Tourism Concern who campaign for fairly and ethically traded tourism, and are part of its Ethical Tour Operator Group www.tourismconcern.org.uk

Know before you go

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at www.explore.co.uk/travel-safety

Peace of mind - book with confidence

You can book your Explore holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. Explore is a fully bonded tour operator licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and by ABTOT.

The air holiday packages (Tours including flights) that we advertise are ATOL protected, since we hold an Air Travel Organiser's LicenceÂ granted by the Civil Aviation Authority.Â Our ATOL number is ATOL 2595. In addition, As a member of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), Explore has provided a bond to meet the requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992. Please note that packages booked outside the UK are only protected when purchased directly with Explore.

Reserving your place

To reserve your place on this tour you will need to check availability on the Explore website or through our dedicated call centre based in the UK where you can. Our tours can fill up quickly so you are advised to book as early as possible. If your chosen date is ‘Available’ or ‘Guaranteed’ we will be able to provisionally hold you a space for up to 48 hours.

For Self-Guided holidays and Private Journeys simply choose your date of travel and let us know so we can confirm all ground services.

The easiest way to confirm your booking is through our website. When you are ready to book, we normally require a 10% non-refundable deposit, but for some holidays this may be more to cover such items as permit fees, internal flights or other non-refundable services. If your travel starts within 60 days of booking, full payment will be required at the time of booking

100% No Surcharge Guarantee

The price paid for our holidays is no longer subject to change. Once booked and confirmed we will guarantee the price you pay will not increase, whatever the circumstances. You will not be approached to pay fuel surcharges unlike the vast majority of other adventure tour operators. The price guarantee applies to all new bookings departing between 1st January 2014 and 31st December 2015.